Bottle carrier



Feb. 28, 1956 SCHQKNECHT ET AL 2,736,460

BOTTLE CARRIER I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 10 1952 2mm m MEL N wmrh w Krq 5 H w mM M n Q1 mm 5/ Feb. 28, 1956 R. .1. SCHOKNECQHT ET AL ,7

BOTTLE CARRIER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 10, 1952 E M W F7TORMEYS,

United States PatentlQ BOTTLE CARRIER Robert J. Schoknecht, Qlivette, and Edwin J. Spiegel, Jr., Webster Groves, Mo., assignors to Gaylord Container Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Maryland Application April 10, 1952, Serial No. 281,544

1 Claim. (Cl. 220-113) This invention appertains in general to bottle carriers of the type used to carry beverages and the like from retail stores to the home of the user, and more particularly to a novel foldable and re-usable carrier constructed of fibreboard or other suitable foldable material.

Most bottle carriers for consumer use are provided with two bottle carrying compartments in back-to-back relationship with each compartment separated into individual bottle cells by dividing panels. In many instances, these dividing panels are cut from and foldably connected to the outer walls of the bottle carrying compartments. These panels are then secured to the inner wall of the bottle compartment. This scheme has the advantage of providing unbroken interior Walls so that glass-to-glass contact between the bottles of the adjacent bottle carrying compartments is obviated. However, a serious disadvantage to this construction is that removing the transverse dividing panels from the outer walls results in openings therein. This not only limits the effective exterior surface which is often used for advertising display and descriptive matter, but it also reduces the protection to the contents afforded by unbroken outer walls. Furthermore, to preserve the outer wall structure, it is necessary to reduce the height of the transverse dividing panels. This is also undesirable since a narrow dividing panel does not afford adequate protection for adjacent bottles.

If the transverse dividing partitions are cut from the inner walls of the compartments and secured to the inner face of the outer walls, it is possible to provide an unbroken exterior surface for display and protection. Also, the height of the dividing panels may be extended to afford extra protection for the vertical surfaces of the adjacent bottles. Originating the transverse dividing panels from the inner Walls of the bottle carrying compartments has the disadvantage, however, of leaving openings therein which permit glass-to-glass contact of bottles in the adjacent compartments. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a bottle carrier having transverse and longitudinal bottle spacers adapted to completely separate and maintain the bottles in an upright position and to thereby obviate any glass-to-glass contact therebetween.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a one-piece bottle carrier comprising two compartments positioned back to back, the compartments having transverse dividing panels originating from the inner walls thereof together with a central longitudinal separating panel adapted to eliminate glass-to-glass contact of bottles in one compartment with those in the adjacent compartment.

A further object is to provide an interior, longitudinal, article separating panel constructed of material from the blank of the container.

An additional object is to provide, in a bottle carrier, a bottle separating central panel foldably connected to the carrier, said panel being automatically moved into substantially vertical position between the inner walls scription.

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of the compartments when the carrier is erected, and automatically retracted when the carrier is collapsed.

Another object is to provide a bottle carrier which may be easily secured in the erected position to prevent col; lapse, yet be readily collapsed for economical shipment upon theremoval of a single stitch or fastening means...

A further object is to provide a bottle carrier haying unobstructed exterior faces for printed advertising matter or similar marking. g

A further object is to provide a bottlecarrier having exterior walls which may be varied in height upto the level of the tops of the bottles carried, without waste in material. I

These and other objects and advantages, of thisinvention will be apparent from the following,-detailed de The' invention relates to an article carrier havinga'pair of article receiving compartments disposed in back to back relation, each of said compartments having an outer .side wall and an inner side wall connected together inparallel relation by opposed end walls, and a substantially rigid bottom wall integral with the lower ends of said outer walls, each of said article receiving compartments having transverse partitions originating from said inner walls and attached in normal relation to said outer walls, and a central longitudinal panel integrally and foldably connected to the lower edge of one only of said innerside walls, said panel being vertically disposed in flatwise relation between said inner side walls and substantially covering the openings in said side walls resulting from the removal therefrom of the said transverse partition forming material. v i

The invention also consists in the parts and in the arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed. In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals and symbols refer to like or similar parts wherever they occur:

, Fig. 1 is a plan view form of this invention,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the flatly collapsed position, V.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in partially assembled position. t

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bottom end reinforcements of the carrier inpartially assembled position, 7 Fig. 5 is a top plan view of an assembled carrier forme from the blank shown in Fig 1,

Fig. 6 is a sidetelevational view of said carrier,

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of said carrier, i

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6,

Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line -9 of Fig. 6, and

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken alon the line 10-10 of Fig. 7.

Referring now to Fig. 1, wherein a preferred form of the invention has been illustrated, it will be .seen that a body blank A is provided with outer side walls 10 foldably connected along bottom score lines 11 to a bottom panel 12. The outer side walls 10 are foldably connected to end walls 14 along outer side scores 13. The bottom panel 12 is foldably connected to the bottom end reinforcements 15 along the outer side score 13. The bottom end reinforcements 15 are defined on their side margins by continuations of the bottom score lines 11. Each end reinforcement 15 is provided with a pair of 45 converging score lines 16 which extend from the juncture of the bottom score lines 11 and the outer side score 13 and terminate approximately atltlie midpoint of the inner edge of said bottom endreinof a blank employing a preferred same blank glued b u tiin forcement which is defined by and end slit 17. A cutout may be provided as at 18, to facilitate easy folding and erection of the carrierfhowever this feature is optional and may be omitted if desired. Furthermore, the shape and size of the cut-out 18 may be varied and still fall within the intended limits of the invention. Inner side scores 19 define a foldable connection intermediate the end walls 14 and inner side walls 20. The inner side scores 19 are co-linear with the end slit 17. The top of one of the inner side walls 20 is defined by a top double score 21 which in turn defines the inner edge of a holding flap 22. In the embodiment illustrated, the holding flap 22 is omitted from the upper edge of one inner side wall. The flap 22 is optional and may be omitted from either one or both of the inner side walls 20. Registering handholes 23 are provided in the upper margins of the inner side walls 20. One handhole is preferably provided with a handhole flap 24 foldably connected to the upper margin of the inner side wall 20 along double flap scores 25. The handhole flap 24 is also optional and may be omitted if desired.

A central longitudinal separating panel 26 is provided intermediate the inner side walls 20 and the bottom end reinforcements 15. The separating panel 26 is connected to one inner side wall 20 along an inner wall bottom score 27. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the central longitudinal separating panel 26 is defined on its free edges by a panel slit 28 and the end slits 17. A clearance slit 29 is provided in co-linear relation with the inner bottom score 27 and positioned intermediate the ends thereof. A partition score 30 is provided in parallel relation with a divided partition score 31. Both scores extend from the clearance slit 29 to a point beneath the handhole 23. In the carrier shown in Fig. l, which is designed to hold 3 bottles in each beverage compartment B (Fig. 3), the scores 39 and 31 are longitudinally spaced to substantially tri-sect the length of the inner side walls 20. However, the scores may be spaced to admit any convenient number of bottles.

An inner dividing panel slit 32 and at outer dividing panel slit 33 are provided, preferably commencing in right angular relation from the upper end of each partition score 30 and 31. The inner dividing panel slit 32 extends toward one end of the inner side wall 20 a distance preferably less than the full width of a single bottle carrying cell or compartment. The inner dividing panel slit 32 then extends angularly downwardly across the divided partition score 31 to a position closely adjacent the lower margin of the inner side wall 20 and substantially midway the distance between the adjacent partition score 31 and the inner side score 19. The inner dividing panel slit 32 then extends parallel to the clearance slit 29 for a short distance and thence angularly upwardly and terminates at the inner side score 19.

The outer dividing panel slit 33 commences at the top of the adjacent partition score 31 and extends parallel to the clearance slit 29 toward the same end as the inner dividing panel slit 32 a distance preferably less than the width of a single bottle carrying compartment whereupon the outer dividing panel slit 33 extends downwardly and substantially parallel to said inner dividing panel slit 32 to a point on the inner side score 19. At this point the outer dividing panel slit 33 extends at right angles to the inner side score 19 into the end wall 14, thence downwardly parallel to the inner side score 19 to a point near the bottom margin of the end wall 14. From this point the outer dividing panel slit 33 extends diagonally downwardly across the inner side score 19 and terminates at the end of the clearance slit 29. The partition scores 30 and 31 and the dividing panel slits 32 and 33 thereby form dividing panels 34 and 35 to separate the contents of the carrier. The spacing and orientation of the partition scores 30 and 31 and the dividing panel slits 32 and 33 provide dividing panels 34 and 35 having a maximum area at the points the bottles or other articles carried are most likely to come in contact with one another, viz., halfway between the inner and outer side walls. Also, the dividing panels 34 and 35 are designed to provide a maximum height at least including the straight sides of the bottles and extend substantially to the bottom of the article carried as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Glue tabs 36 and 37 are also formed by the dividing panel slits 32 and 33. The glue tabs 36 and 37 are continuous and foldably connected to the dividing panels 34 and 35 along score lines 19 and 31. By having unitary glue tabs 36 and 37, the dividing panels 34 and 35 are automatically spaced in parallel relation in the assembled form of the carrier and at the same time, greater strength and rigidity are imparted to the carrier.

A triangular positioning tab 39 is defined by the end of the outer dividing panel slit 33, the end portion of the inner bottom score 27, and the bottom portion of the inner side score 19. As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 10, the positioning tab 39 provides additional support for the end of the central longitudinal separating panel 26.

A preferred method of assembling the carrier shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 is to fold the end walls 14 and the bottom end reinforcement 15 which is connected to the glue flap 38, about the adjacent inner side scores 19 into a position flatwise against the inner face of the adjacent inner side walls 20. Then the outer side walls 10 and the interposed bottom panel 12 are folded about the outer side score 13 to a position fiatwise against the inner side walls 20. In this position, the free outer end margins of the outer side walls 10 and the bottom panel 12 are in flatwise contact with the exposed face of the glue flap 38. It will be observed that the glue flap 38 is a continuous strip integral with the outer margins of the end panels 14 and the intermediate triangular bottom reinforcement 15 and when the glue flap 33 is secured to the outer margins of the outer side walls 10 and the end margins of the bottom panel 12, therebetween, it not only effectively connects the end walls 14 to the outer side walls 10 and the intermediate triangular bottom reinforcement 15 to the bottom panel 12, but it also functions to reinforce the entire carrier. A distinct advantage results from providing the continuous glue flap by extensions from the end walls 14 and bottom reinforcements 15, in that the end walls 14 may all be of identical dimensions. The glue tabs 36 and the end glue tabs 37 are next secured to the outer walls 10. The carrier is now in the preassembled collapsed form. It may be shipped to the user in this condition since all that remains to be done is the erection of the carrier.

The carrier may be erected by forcing the end walls 14 and the bottom end reinforcements 15 into right angular relation with the outer walls 10. This automatically positions the inner side walls 20 and the central longitudinal separating panel 26 in spaced parallel relation to the outer side walls 10. The main dividing panel 34 and the end dividing panel 35 are in right angular interconnecting relation between the parallel inner side walls 20 and the outer side walls 10. Next, the center portions of the bottom end reinforcements 15 are forced inwardly about the outer side scores 11 and outer bottom side score 13 into fiatwise relation with the upper face of the bottom panel 12. As this is done, the bottle carrying compartments B are automatically folded inwardly and upwardly about the bottom side scores 11 into an upstanding side by side position with the inner side walls 20 being in substantially backto-back relation.

As herein before mentioned, the central longitudinal panel 26, which is in fact a continuation of one of the inner side walls 20. and attached at the bottom end thereof, automatically becomes positioned vertically between the inner side walls as the two bottle compartments B are folded inwardly and upwardly into back-to-back relation. This central longitudinal panel serves several functions and is an important feature of the invention. Firstly, in

the assembled position of the carrier, it extends substantially over and covers the openings in the opposed inner side walls resulting from the formation of the transverse partition means therefrom, thus eliminating glass-to-glass contact between adjacent bottles in the back-to-back compartments B.

Secondly, the lateral edges of the panel extend into substantially the same plane as the end walls and as it is interposed flatwise between the inner walls 20, it reinforces and rigidizes the over all carrier longitudinally.

Thirdly, while the panel 26 is at least substantially the same dimensions as the bottom wall 12, by employing a different type or kind of transverse partition means, the height of the panel when vertically disposed between the opposed inner walls, may be increased by an integral portion thereof or by a separate strip added to the free upper edge of said panel to bring its height substantially equal to the height of the side walls.

Still another function of the panel is to specifically separate the bottles from glass-to-glass contact in the opposed end bottle cells and the opposed central bottle cells of the compartments B. The other end bottle cells of the carrier are closed by an inner side wall portion and when the panel is disposed therebetween, it effects a three-ply disposition of the material of these elements and effectively rigidizes the end structure comprising the closed cells in the form of hollow posts, which rigidization and additional strength stabilizes the entire carrier.

When the compartments have been brought into back to back relation, the handholes 23 will be in registering relation and the handhole flap 24 is folded about the double handhole score 25 through the adjacent handhole 23, upwardly into flatwise relation to the outer face of the adjacent inner side wall 20. The holding flap 22 is then folded about the top double score 21 into flatwise relation with the upper margin of the adjacent inner side wall 20 and the previously positioned handhole flap 24. The holding flap is then secured by stitches or other suitable fastening means to the upper margin of the adjacent inner side wall 20 and the carrier is now in condition for use.

The carrier may be easily knocked down to a flatwise position for easy shipment if desired. This is accomplished by removing the fastening means and separating 4.)

the bottle carrying compartments B outwardly and then collapsing the container into the preassembled fiat position.

This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure,v which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What we claim is:

A bottle carrier comprising a unitary cardboard structure having two bottle receiving open top units each provided with an outer side wall and an inner side wall, each side wall being integrally united with its outer wall by opposite end walls, oppositely disposed transverse compartment forming partitions struck out from each inner side wall intermediate its side edge portions downwardly through each lower marginal edge thereof thus defining opposite openings in the side walls and forming along with the outer walls and end wall portions an end compartment at each end of each unit, a substantially rigid one-piece bottom wall integral with the lower ends of said outer walls, a foldable section at each end of the bottom wall consisting of adjacent foldably connected intermediate and end triangularly shaped flaps, the intermediate fiap being connected to the bottom wall and the end triangular shaped flaps to the end walls, and each intermediate flap being in face contacting relation to the adjacent interior bottom wall With the end flaps superposed thereon with one end flap disposed only in the bottom of each end compartment of each unit, a central longitudinal bottle protecting panel coextensive in length and width with the bottom wall and integrally and foldably connected to the lower marginal edge of one of said compartments of one inner side wall and also connected to a lower corner portion integral with the said one side Wall thus providing a free marginal bottom edge for the panel between the connected portions and which free marginal edge of the panel is substantially equal in width tothat of the opening in said one side wall, said panel being vertically disposed in substantially parallel relationship between said inner side walls and over the openings therein to protect the bottles, and the lateral edges of said panel extending substantially into the same plane as the end Walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,234,402 Frankenstein Mar. 11, 1941 2,525,686 Kowal Oct. 10, 1950 2,535,741 Lighter Dec. 26, 1950 

